ASTA Holland America Line Graduate Research Scholarship

Applicant must be a citizen or permanent resident of any country who is a full-time or part-time graduate student conducting research on a topic with a tourism focus, who can demonstrate a clear focus on and commitment to the tourism-subject area, enrolled an accredited four-year college or university, and entering any year of graduate study in the fall of the calendar year of application at a college or university in the United States or Canada, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Online application, passport as proof of citizenship, resume, letter of recommendation from academic or research advisor, Graduate Research Faculty Advisor Confirmation Form, Research Proposal, and Reflection Essay are required to be submitted. Five page research proposal which includes: the purpose or problem statement, hypothesis (if appropriate), objectives, scope, brief literature review, methodology, and applicability of results. The following are suggested research topics of interest (but are not limited to those on this list): overcoming consumers? objections to purchasing a cruise; how travel agents could market to adventure and special interest travel buyers; the future composition of the travel agency distribution channel and suggested strategies for retailers and suppliers; and consolidation as a survival strategy and possible productive partnerships with non-traditional organizations inside and outside the travel industry. All topics submitted to Tourism Cares will be considered for their relevance to the tourism industry. Research proposal reflection essay topic: Explain how you expect your career to serve the travel and tourism or hospitality industry, and/or how the practical application of the findings of your proposed research study will serve the travel and tourism or hospitality industry.